Qing Wen Bai Du Yin — Clear Epidemics & Eliminate Toxin Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

What is Qing Wen Bai Du Yin?

Qing Wen Bai Du Yin — Clear Epidemics and Eliminate Toxin Decoction — is a classical Wen Bing formula by Yu Lin (Yu Shi Yi An, late Qing dynasty) for the severe stage of an epidemic febrile disease where intense heat-toxin has penetrated to the Qi level and the Ying-Xue (nutritive-blood) levels simultaneously. It is one of the most powerful heat-clearing prescriptions in Chinese herbal medicine.

I prescribe Qing Wen Bai Du Yin as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Qing Wen Bai Du Yin TCM pattern

Prescribed for severe epidemic toxic-heat penetrating all three Burners and the Blood layer: high fever, severe headache, intense thirst, severe restlessness or delirium, possible macular rash, possible bleeding (epistaxis, haematuria), dry crimson tongue with a yellow-black coat and a rapid surging pulse.

Key herbs

A 14-herb composite of three foundational heat-clearing formulas: Bai Hu Tang (Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, Gan Cao, rice), Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai, Zhi Zi), and Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (water buffalo horn substituting for rhinoceros horn, Sheng Di Huang, Chi Shao, Mu Dan Pi) plus Lian Qiao, Xuan Shen, Jie Geng and Dan Zhu Ye.

Formula actions

1. Clears intense epidemic heat-toxin from the Qi level
2. Cools the Blood and resolves macular eruptions
3. Drains Fire from all three Burners
4. Generates fluids to counter heat damage

Conditions treated

1. Severe epidemic febrile disease (classically used in plague, scarlet fever, measles encephalitis)
2. Severe sepsis, meningococcal disease and toxic shock as adjunctive integrative care under intensive medical supervision
3. Severe viral hepatitis with high fever and macular rash
4. Hyperthyroid crisis with high fever and severe restlessness (under medical care)

Cautions

This is an aggressive cooling formula reserved for severe heat-toxin patterns; never appropriate for mild colds, deficient patterns or pregnancy. Severe febrile illness always requires medical assessment; herbal treatment is supportive within an integrative framework, not a replacement for hospital care.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.